Wenham Man Remembered as 'One of a Kind'

Donald Costin of Wenham, known for the coffee shop he owned, his truck collection and distunguished dress, passed over during the weekend.

Donald Costin, who became one of Wenham's most well-known residents during the past 40 years, died over the weekend. He was 82. Costin has been sick recently and last week hundreds of people came through Costin's cafe to visit him on the patio behind the cafe, according to Nick Katsoulis, who runs Henderson's Cafe, which Costin owned. "He was one of a kind," said Jay Burnham, a local real estate agent who got coffee at Henderson's every morning. Phyllis Perkins of Wenham said he would always say hi to everyone in the cafe - many by first name. Costin served one term of the Wenham Board of Selectmen, was a member of the Board of Health and served as the town representative to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for more than 20 years. …

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Jay Burnham

7:19 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Irreplaceable as a friend and local personality.   more ›

Senate Hopeful Gomez to Visit Henderson's Thursday Morning

One of the three Republicans seeking the party's nomination in next week's primary election will be in Wenham on Thursday morning.

Gabriel Gomez, one of the three Republican running for the U.S. Senate, will make a breakfast stop in Wenham on Thursday morning. Gomez had originally planned to visit on Tuesday, April 16 - the morning after the Boston Marathon bombings - but it was postponed. Gomez will be at Henderson's Cafe starting at about 7:45 a.m. and will be there about a half hour, meeting voters. Former Hamilton Selectmen Jeff Stinson is helping organize Gomez's viist and said he is "very excited he will be joining us." Gomez will faces Republicans Daniel Winslow and Michael Sullivan in next Tuesday's Republican primary. The winner will go on to the face the Democratic Party nominee - either U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch or U.S. Rep. Ed Markey - in the June general …

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Meet Your Neighbor

A Hundred Chickens Running Loose Introduced this Woman to Hamilton

"Meet Your Neighbor" introduces you to librarian Julie Preston of Wenham.

Name: Julie Preston Street: Meridian Road, Wenham   Family: Rachel, 14 and Charlie, 9   Occupation: Librarian and Event Planner   Hobbies/interests: Bowling, raising rabbits, belly dancing, cooking and of course reading   What are you passionate about? Special needs issues as related to the district schools, literacy for all individuals What did you study in school? Sport, Fitness and Leisure with Music and Biology at Salem State College and Master’s of Divinity at Boston University School of Theology   Are you utilizing this subject now? When I plan events and programs I use these subjects. I teach Sunday School at the First Church in Wenham and I love it! Best book: "Dune" by Frank Herbert   Best movie: "Pretty Woman"   Dream vacation: …

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Michelle Bailey

9:31 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012

I was surprised to hear Julie sing the first time! What a pretty voice she has.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: May 11

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, May 11. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Parent Survey: Friday is the final day for parents to fill out an online survey that asks for opinions about parent involvement in the schools. Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District was selected as one of the districts in the state to participate in the survey, run by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If more than 17 percent of parents participate, the school district is eligible for a small grant. The survey takes between three and 10 minutes to complete and will help increase parental involvement in the schools. 2. Gordon-Conwell Commencement: Dr. Tom Little was killed by the Taliban in 2010 and his wife Libby will address Gordon-Conwell …

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: May 3

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Thursday, May 3. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Cool: Thursday won’t be the greatest day weatherwise – another dreary, cool day.  There’s a greater chance of showers earlier with a better chance of the sun poking through in the afternoon with temperatures in the 50s. 2. Election: Wenham voters go to the polls on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon at Buker Elementary School for the annual town elections. The only contested race on the ballot is for Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee, where five candidates – all newcomers – are seeking three spots on the committee. Check Patch later on Thursday for more info about each of those candidates. 3. Jazz: The Gordon College Jazz ensemble takes the stage on Thursday …

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Meet Your Neighbor

Meet A 71 Year Hamilton Resident Who Puts Out Lobster Traps Each Summer

Meet Warren "Bob" Gray, a Hamilton native who counts putting out a few lobster traps each summer as one of his hobbies.

Name: Warren Robert Gray, Jr. I go by Bob (my middle name). It was confusing to have two Warrens in the house growing up so my parents decided to have me go by my middle name. Street: Bay Road, Hamilton Family: Wife, Shirley; Two boys, Bob, III, age 51, lives in Vermont with no kids and single. Mark, age 49, lives in Singapore, his wife Mari lives in Amherst, Mass. with their two kids (my grandchildren) Taylor, age 15 and Lydia, age 13. Occupation: Retired now, but I have had several interesting jobs in my career. Worked at United Shoe Machinery, worked in supermarkets, owned a True Value hardware store, managed a big box home center, owned a small contracting company, to name a few. Hobbies/interests: Lobstering (put out about six lobster…

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Meet Your Neighbor

Meet the Wenham Man Who Makes the Coffee at 2:45 a.m. Each Morning

Can't sleep? Come meet Donald Costin for coffee at Henderson's at 2:45 a.m.

Author's note: I interviewed Donald Costin outside the stores at 300 Main St. We had some coffee and chatted at one of the outdoor tables. Many people came and went during our interview and everybody said hello to Don. Don is always dressed to perfection. You will see in the photo he is wearing a confederate jacket. Don bought this jacket on one of his trips to Gettysburg. He had it special ordered because he wanted four pockets like his vests. The buttons each have CSA on the them, standing for Confederate States of America. He also owns a blue union jacket with eagles on the buttons. Name: Donald Costin Age: 82 Street: 300 Main St., Wenham   Occupation: Owns shops and restaurant at 300 Main St. Hobbies/interests: Old cars, fire trucks, …

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Jay Burnham

5:45 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Don is a true gentleman. He always greets you with a sincere hello and a pat on the back and he would do anything to help a friend. No wonder he has so many.   more ›

Winner: Best Place for Breakfast or Brunch

Which restaurant in Hamilton and Wenhan did Patch users say is their favorite place to get breakfast or brunch?

The Wenham Tea House has been voted the winner in Hamilton-Wenham Patch's "Best of Patch Readers' Choice" contest for the best local place to get breakfast or brunch. The Monument Street business received 24 votes, ahead of 15 Walnut with 19 votes and The Henderson’s Cafe with 17 votes. Also factored into tabulating a winner each week is new reviews in the business directory section, but none of the breakfast and brunch spots in this week’s voting reviewed any new reviews. Two commenters did express support for Tea House, with one acknowledging that it has been closed for the past three months but had her support based on its previous operator and the plans outlined by the new operator, Henry’s Fine Foods, which plans to reopen it on …

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Meet Your Neighbor

Meet a Mom with a Mechanical Engineering Degree

Elaine Appel, who is proud of her work to help elect U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, says her kids sometimes find her mechanical engineering degree handy with math and science homework.

Name: Elaine Appel Street: Linden Street, Hamilton   Family: Husband, Bruce and three sons, ages 9, 11 and 15 Occupation: Toy Store Manager/Buyer, Retired Engineer, Conservative Activist Hobbies/interests: Social media Best book: "Atlas Shrugged" Best movie: "Forest Gump" Dream vacation: I'd love to go back to the island of Capri where I had a wonderful time with a friend after high school. What are you passionate about? Restoring the limited government constitutional principles that make possible great freedom and prosperity. What did you study in school? Mechanical Engineering Are you utilizing this subject now? I'm a very handy mom to have when extra help is needed with math and science homework.   Favorite tradition? Skating on Weaver …

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Jennifer Flynn

1:22 pm on Sunday, January 29, 2012

Thank you Jay! I needed some fresh stuff. Those are excellent suggestions!!!! Please consider joining the HW facebook group... http://www.facebook.com/groups/111138132304083/ and to all reading this...please join it as well   more ›

What's Open Locally on Thanksgiving

Find out which coffee shops and stores in Hamilton and Wenham are open on Thanksgiving Day.

Here’s a wrapup on what is open on Thanksgiving Day in Hamilton and Wenham. Restaurants The Henderson’s Café: Coffee and donuts will be served from 4-9 a.m. Dunkin Donuts: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stores Richdale: Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CVS: Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., pharmacy will be closed all day. Hamilton Convenience: Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Most other restaurants, stores and businesses in Hamilton and Wenham will be closed. If you still want to check, try our “Places” directory for phone numbers, websites and other information.

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